COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019)
COVID-19 is a disease caused by a virus called coronavirus. It spreads easily from person to person, mainly through coughs and sneezes. Symptoms include fever, cough, and trouble breathing. To stay safe, people wear masks, wash hands often, and keep distance from others. Vaccines help prevent it.
What is COVID-19?
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that usually cause only mild respiratory diseases, like the common cold. SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2), the virus that causes COVID-19, is a more serious strain of coronavirus that spreads and infects people easily. While most children with COVID-19 only have mild symptoms, some children may get very sick. They may need to be hospitalized. Severe illness is more likely in children with other, underlying medical conditions. However, children without underlying medical conditions can also get very sick.
How COVID-19 Is Spread to Others
The virus that causes COVID-19 can pass from person to person through small droplets that are breathed, coughed, or sneezed into the air by an infected person. Most people become infected after breathing in this air. Infection may also occur after touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with your hands after touching a surface with the virus.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of COVID-19?
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Difficulty breathing (shortness of breath)
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Muscle aches
Symptoms range from mild to severe and appear, on average, 3 to 4 days after exposure to the virus. This can range from 2 to 14 days. Some children may have no symptoms.
How to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19
- Getting the COVID-19 vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and others from getting very sick from COVID-19. Everyone who can get the vaccination should stay up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines.
- Everyone should wash their hands often. Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol may be used.
- Everyone should cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing or cough or sneeze into your elbow. Throw used tissues in a lined trash can. Wash hands or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer after discarding used tissues.
- Clean all frequently touched surfaces regularly with a household disinfecting spray or wipe, according to the label instructions. These include doorknobs, light switches, faucets, toilet handles, and other hard surfaces that are also touched by members of your household.
- Take steps for cleaner air, especially during periods of high COVID-19 transmission in the community. If you have visitors, bring fresh air into your home by keeping doors and windows open, or go outside. If your home has an HVAC system, regularly change your filter according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- If you are sick, stay home and away from others. Getting tested for COVID-19 can help you know how likely you are to spread the virus.
- Please refer to the CDC isolation guidelines at: Preventing Spread of Respiratory Viruses When You’re Sick | Respiratory Illnesses | CDC (www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/prevention/precautions-when-sick.html). This is the most up-to-date information, including recommendations for how long to wear a mask when you’re ill.
- Wear a well-fitting mask over your nose and mouth. This helps lower the risk of spreading COVID-19. Consider wearing a mask when there are a lot of COVID-19 cases in the area or if you or the people around you have a high risk for severe illness.
People who SHOULD NOT WEAR a mask include:- Children under the age of 2
- Anyone who has trouble breathing
- Anyone who is unconscious, can’t move, or can’t remove the mask without help
How are Children Tested for COVID-19?
If your child has symptoms of COVID-19, there are many test options:
- Lab tests and rapid point-of-care tests –If the health care provider feels testing for COVID-19 is needed, a nose swab will be done. During this test, a cotton-tipped swab is wiped inside of the nose. There may be a small amount of bleeding from the nose after this test.
- At-home tests – These are available for children 2 years of age and older. It’s very important to follow all manufacturer instructions to get an accurate result.
How IS COVID-19 Treated?
- Most children can get better at home with the care of a parent or caregiver. Medicine may be prescribed for older children and adults at high risk of severe illness. Contact your doctor or health care provider with any questions.
- Never give your child products containing aspirin unless told by a doctor or health care provider.
- Give fever-reducing medicine, like acetaminophen (Tylenol®), as needed. Before taking ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®), check with your doctor or health care provider to make sure it is okay. Follow all package dosing instructions.
- Do NOT ignore symptoms that get worse.
- Have your child drink plenty of age-appropriate fluids.
- Have your child rest often.
When to Call 911
Call 911 if your child has:
- Problems breathing
- Sucking in of the skin between the ribs when breathing (retractions)
- Turning blue around the mouth
- Breathing very fast
- Appears very ill
When to Call the Doctor
Call a doctor or health care provider if your child has:
- Wheezing
- Breathing that is very fast
- Chest tightness
- Symptoms that get worse
Resources for More COVID-19 Information
- See the Centers for Disease Control website for the most up-to-date information about COVID-19.
- Visit our COVID-19 Information and Resources page for answers to common questions and more.
Helping Hands™ Patient Education Materials
Helping Hands™ are easy-to-read guides about different illnesses, therapies, surgeries, and more. They’re created by the Patient Education team at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and are reviewed and approved by clinical staff, like nurses, doctors, pharmacists, and psychologists. Nationwide Children's Hospital is not responsible for misuse of information in patient education materials, including Helping Hands.
HH-I-466 | ©3/16/2020, revised 5/29/2025, Nationwide Children’s Hospital
